03 May 2015

Geoffrey Lehmann, Australian poet

Getting started

When we first came our housewas two weatherboard roomsin a bare paddock.I was just back from a war.There were no treesand I chose the name "Spring Forest".It was dark when we drove upand lit our pressure lamps and unpacked.Our children found potatoes sproutingon the wire mattress of a large iron bed.What were they doing there?my daughter kept asking.We burned ironbarkin the old brick fireplace,rubbing etherized hands into warmth.At dawn Sally and Peter were outcalling in the frost, exploring.A long icicle hung from the tank.That day five cars passed on the roadand the children ran out every time.